Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2018 3:07PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet.

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Be aware of snow conditions that change with elevation and from one aspect to another. Thin storm slabs may exist in the alpine while crusts on sunny and lower elevation slopes may become moist or wet with sun or daytime warming.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation 2-5 cm. Ridge wind light, northwest. Alpine Temperature near -5. Freezing level 800 m.MONDAY: Cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light, west. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1600 m.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1600 m.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 2-5 cm. Ridge wind light, south. Alpine temperature near -4. Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday there were several reports of solar triggered loose, wet avalanches as well as, cornice and glide crack failures up to size 3 on predominantly south to west aspects at all elevations.Last week, on Friday there reports of natural cornices failures up to size 2 on north and northeast facing slopes in the alpine that had little effect on the slopes below, while explosive control produced only small (size 1) storm slabs on similar aspects.Thursday there were reports of sloughs and small (size 1) loose, dry avalanches in steep terrain, and on Wednesday there were reports of both skier triggered and natural wind slab releases up to size 1.5, as well as a size 2 natural cornice failure all on on north aspects between 2000 - 2400 m.And earlier last week; a widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3 was reported. These were primarily wet loose avalanches on sunny aspects.

Snowpack Summary

A light dusting of snow (5-15 cm) covers a crust on all but high, north facing slopes that still have cold dry snow above a well-settled snowpack. Below 1900 m a surface crust exists on all aspects and will likely breakdown with daytime warming becoming moist in the afternoon.Deeper persistent weak layers from January and December are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, large cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets.

Problems

Loose Wet

Watch for areas of moist or wet snow especially on steep, sunny slopes and near rocky outcrops or gullies.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 19th, 2018 2:00PM